Jobs and Industries that used Asbestos

Asbestos has been in use as an insulation material and fire retardant since the late 1800’s. It was widely used in many industries. The harmful effects of asbestos were recognised legally in 1931 but the use of asbestos was not restricted in the UK until the 1980s.

Many employers’ health and safety measures did not protect their workers sufficiently from the effects of exposure. As a result there are an increasing number of people suffering from diseases caused by asbestos and currently up to 3000 deaths a year from exposure to asbestos and related illnesses. This figure is forecast by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to increase until between 2015 & 2020.

According to the HSE, the ten occupations found to have the highest risk of Mesothelioma, the most serious Asbestos related cancer, based on deaths between 1980 and 2000 were:

Metal Plate Workers

Vehicle Body Builders

Plumbers and Gas Fitters

Carpenters

Electricians

Sheet Metal Workers

Electrical Plant Operators

Production Fitters

Construction Workers

Electrical Engineers.

These occupations were associated largely with the following occupations using Asbestos:

Railway engine and carriage building

Construction – Especially installing insulation

Shipbuilding

Oil refineries

Textiles

Car brake pad manufacture

Power generation.

If you think you have a claim of if you need more information please contact our Industrial Disease Team on 0800 988 0777 and ask for one of the following:

Pattinson and Brewer holds worldwide professional indemnity insurance policies with Chartis Insurance UK Ltd. of The Chartis Building, 58 Fenchurch St. London EC3M 4AB; Policies numbered 0034640398 and P0126108. Pattinson and Brewer is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority … and this is a link to its Code of Conduct page. SRA ID Number: 59082